The Camera Trolls

I noticed in another topic, many people like to try to duck the camera trolls at the main gate. What do you do?

I will stand still and do a rather quick countdown from 5 to 1 then move on. If they got the pic in the 5 second countdown, then they get it, if not, see ya!

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"X" marks the spot in 2001!

LOL...Well Soggy, I just walk past them. When Im with my friends, we try to be nice and say "No Thankyou", but occasionally, we run into the aggressive ones.

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Dayuum, Your HOT!

I usually try to ignore them. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile, just like telemarketers. ;)

Parks do not need a picture of me
*** This post was edited by millrace on 2/21/2001. ***

We usually split up and run in different directions, we usually get past them.

Well if you're alone, they dont usually bother you. If I'm with a group, I'll try and take THEIR picture first (you know, flip the script). Otherwise, we just let them take the picture...sometimes we actually buy the picture. It seems to me that a lot of you all get there right when the park opens. By getting there a few hours after opening, there is already a lot of commotion around that area so you can easily blend in with the crowd and never get accosted.
jeremy

What's everyone scared to say NO thank you do not want one, its not hard to say.

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Army rangers lead the way

I usually don't care, because one guy at Magic Mountain said that they pay him based upon how many pictures he takes. I figure what's a few more seconds to me if he can get a few more pennies?!

I just ignore them usually. "nahh...I break cameras" or something like that works lol.

-Natalie
Who thinks the guy at MM was lying to saviour.

When the camera lackey approaches you stare off at a point behind them like you are looking at something unbelievably cool, then when they turn to see what you are looking at... RUN!!!

I say no thank you and walk away.

If I have been to the park already, I talk to them and take up their time. If it is the first time I have been to a park or haven't ridden a coaster at the park I am at, I just say no. Just say no to camera trolls. I have also taken pictures of them on a few occasions

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"God gave me a wake up call," RelientK-"Wake Up Call"

I usually just walk past them. I don't try to avoid them, I just want to go and get on a roller coaster. If they stop me, then I let them take my picture, but I never buy it.

If they ask, I'll be like sure, why not. That is their job. Whats a few more seconds, unless it's opening day and I'm already in a dead sprint to a ride.

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MF Drops-15
SOB Rides-2

Seriously, just say NO THANK YOU!

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I'd Rather Be Riding Rollercoasters

I think it's kinda fun to split off with whomever I'm with and then merge back together after we've past all of them. They really never bother you if you're by yourself!

I've taken to walking into the gate with the camera turned on if I have it with me. That way, when one of 'em says, "How about a picture today?" I can simply say, "Sure...", whip out the camera, and push the CAPTURE button. :)

I got a couple of 'em last season.

Speaking of which...am I the only one who thinks the parks need to do a little better with this? I have to give some credit to Kings Island. They have a gorgeous entry plaza just beyond the gate, and the camera people will frequently have people stand in front of the fountain and take their photos that way. But apart from that, most of the time the camera people just snap the pictures as the people come walking in. The background? The back of the entrance gate, which is usually the ugliest thing in the whole park. Parks really ought to come up with some way of prettying up that side of the gate. Yeah, most people won't see it when they are in the park, but that's the background for every guerrella photo the park's guerellas will shoot...

Oh, another point for PKI...I noticed last season they were snapping photos at other places in the park as well as at the front gate. I wonder if it made for better photos, and if it did, if it made for better sales...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I hate getting my picture taken at family gatherings, so why would I let some stranger take one of me? :)

LOL! I've only had my picture taken once by them...I think I was rolling my eye!? I didn't buy it either. If I'm going to buy a picture of me, it will be an on-ride photo!!

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"Maybe I ain't so shy!"

When we do let the trolls take our pictures, we usually point in some direction of camera and look like were terrified. Makes a neat photo and our picture has been used as a model at a few parks for awhile...not sure if they still are :)


-----------WILDFIRE--------------
Scorching the Competition in 2001
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RideMan you hit the nail right on the head. Belmont Babe and I have frequently commented upon the fact that what is the background for these people is usually turnstiles and blank walls. Real photogenic. It wouldn't take a whole lot of planning to set them up in a much more suitable location.